Chapter 36
Kace
I'm so cranky I take myself off to the table farthest away from everyone for the majority of the reception, even though I'm supposed to be sitting with the rest of the wedding party.
It's a gorgeous afternoon, with a cool breeze and enough shade from the buildings to keep the majority of the guests at the tables outside. They're filled with nonstop laughter and conversation, while I wallow in my dark mood.
I don't like the thought of Lindsey living on her own. Not when she's been so sick.
Admiring her from a distance has become a convenient excuse for staring at her the way I am. One that prevents me from having to decide whether I’m going to keep hiding behind my responsibilities or step up and fight for her.
"Those were some great pictures you took earlier," Sully says as he plants himself beside me. "My man, Lindsey looks hot in that dress."
"Watch it," I growl, sliding him a glare.
"Just stating the obvious."
That he is. I about swallowed my tongue when I first saw her in her maid-of-honor dress. And even knowing she's pregnant with someone else's kid, she knocked my socks off.
But chemistry has never been an issue when it comes to Lindsey.
It's everything else that's in the way. She's been pregnant since day one of knowing her, so I've always thought of her as a package deal.
I'm a single dad, so it's not like Lindsey or any other woman wouldn't be asked to accept a child that's not hers, and I am perfectly fine with doing the same.
If it was only about me, I'd go for it. Go for her. But I have the girls to consider in this, like everything else, and I'm jaded enough to worry about things not working out, having already failed at marriage once.
But that's where I am. What I'm thinking. Maybe it's the bride and groom staring so happily into each other's eyes or maybe it's the fact I haven't been able to take my eyes off Lindsey all afternoon, but I can see us as more. What I can't see is how we get there. "What are you doing later?"
"Nothing much. Why?" Sully asks.
Hudson Blackwell and Jameson Dean saunter over to where we sit and grab seats. "What about you two? What are you doing later?"
"Today? This is it," Hud says.
"Same. Maybe some surfing later if the wind keeps up," Jameson says.
I shake my head. "I've got something that needs doing, and it can't wait. You up for pitching in?"
Sully smirks. "Does this have anything to do with a certain gorgeous maid of honor?"
Hudson's head practically makes a full circle. "Does it?"
I point a finger at the cougar chaser. "Stay away from Lindsey. What is it with you guys? She's pregnant."
Sully, Hud and Jameson grin at me, and I realize they all know how I feel about her and are giving me a hard time. Losers. "She's moving into an apartment this evening. Doesn't have much, but I can't carry with these crutches."
"I'm in," Sully says.
"Yeah. Me, too," Jameson adds. "Happy to help."
I glance at Hudson, ready to tell him he's off the hook just so he won't spend the evening flirting with Lindsey, but before I can, Dani comes running up to me.
"Daddy?"
"What, baby girl?"
Dani glances at the guys and then tugs me low to whisper in my ear. When she's finished, I shoot her a stern glare. "No way. You're my girl. You'll have to ask him that yourself."
She has all their attention now, but just when I think she'll be too embarrassed or shy to voice her question aloud, she grumbles a "Fine" to me and then turns to Hud.
"Hudson?" she asks sweetly
"Yeah, Dani-girl, what's up?"
"Daddy says you should dance with me."
Hours later, the sun is setting, the wedding is over, and Bronwyn and Gabe have left for the airport for a short trip to Aruba for their honeymoon. Neither can be out of town for long due to their occupations, but they'd wanted to do something to celebrate their special day.
Sully drives me and the girls home. I get them settled, change out of wedding clothes and offer Sully some shorts and a tee to change into before we climb back into his old truck to go back to the loft to help Lindsey.
I didn't mention us pitching in, mainly because I think Lindsey would argue. Or not want me around. Maybe it's overstepping a boundary, but if Gabe and Bronwyn were moving, or one of the guys, we'd do the same thing. Lindsey's family, whether she likes it or not.
We arrive outside the building, and Lindsey has propped open the lower-level gate.
I frown because it means anyone could just walk up to the private balcony and gain access to the loft.
Sully jogs up the steps while I silently curse the crutches slowing me down.
He waits for me at the top, and I'm just about to knock on the glass door when I see Lindsey on the other side, eyes wide when she spots us.
She leaves the box she carries on the table as she walks by to open the door. "What are you doing here?"
"We came to help," I tell her. "Hud and Jameson will be here soon."
Lindsey's expression softens. "You guys don't have to help me. I don't have a lot."
"We've seen your car and those monstrosities you call suitcases," I tell her. "You shouldn't be carrying those up and down stairs."
She gives me a small smile and sighs. "I will admit I wasn't looking forward to those. But how are you going to carry anything on crutches?"
"I'm the official door holder and stuff watcher while the guys do the heavy lifting."
That earns a bigger smile from her, and I relax a little. Lindsey and I might be moving forward separately, but we still have an undeniable connection.
Sully claps his hands together and rubs them. "Got my truck downstairs. What's first?"
I watch while they get started.
Boxes are easy. But every time Lindsey walks by, I'm stuck figuring out what to do with the tension still crackling between us.